Gianna Ordaz, 9, of Hallettsville, laughs as her sister, Mia Ordaz, 10, and mother, Gina Ordaz, walk by with Hopkins Elementary in the Victoria Livestock Show parade. Mia Ordaz wanted to walk with her mother, so she dressed as a star to accompany the Hopkins Elementary float.
Tess Freeman
for The Victoria Advocate

Gianna Ordaz, 9, of Hallettsville, practiced her pageant girl wave as she waited with her father, Charlie Ordaz, for the Victoria Livestock Show parade to start Saturday.

"It's controlled chaos," said Nick Rodriguez, parade chairman. "We have 36 participants, which is more than last year."

In addition to other hindrances, the city of Victoria's newly enforced policy on renting instead of lending barricades presented an obstacle initially.

But the barricades were secured, and the provider requested to remain anonymous, Rodriguez said. Volunteers erected and removed barricades Saturday.

Hundreds gathered in the morning sunshine to wave to the parade passersby.

Many stood on the sidewalks, some sat on their tailgates or folding chairs, and others sprawled out on the grass around DeLeon Plaza.

Curbside on Main Street, Ordaz playfully folded his arms around Gianna as they eagerly waited to see his wife, Gina Ordaz, and his daughter, Mia, in the parade.

Dressed in a yellow star costume, Mia marched with the Hopkins Elementary School cheerleaders, and her mother followed along to support the girls.

Other participants included Nazareth Academy Cub Scouts Pack 108 and Aloe 4-H Club members riding in decorated trailers.

Five Twin Pines Nursing and Rehabilitation Center residents also rode in a Western-decorated trailer.

Car clubs, including Strictly Business from Port Lavaca and Crossroads Cruisers, in addition to art and antique cars, rolled along the parade route.

Miss Victoria as well as the Victoria Livestock Show Queen's Court waved from their float pedestals.